Abstract

Response to recommendations of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy prompted reformulation of the 330 kcal Cambridge diet to 405 kcal per day with 42 g protein. Developmental trials demonstrated that clinical performance of VLCD formulations at comparable calorie levels could not be assumed. Studies using the formulation commercially produced as Cambridge diet extra with female subjects showed no significant difference in weight losses between the original and the new diet products over 2 or 8 week study periods. The percentage of body weight represented by FFM rose in the 8-week trial by 5 per cent in each group. Blood analyses were carried out before and after 8 weeks dieting with the 405 kcal formula. All parameters remained in the normal range, except iron, which was slightly below normal prior to the trial and rose into the normal range by week 8. These findings compared favourably with previous blood profiles of subjects using the 330 kcal formula. Modifications of the formula which increased the protein and calorie content to 42 g and 405 kcal respectively did not significantly alter the efficacy and safety of the product.